University of New South Wales - BEES Home - Louise McKenzie

RESEARCH SUPERVISOR - DR EMMA JOHNSTON and DR ROB BROOKS

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Marine Science (Hons 1) University of Wollongong

RESEARCH

The evolution of heavy metal tolerance in invasive marine invertebrates.

Pollution and the global spread of invasive species are both major causes of biodiversity loss and environmental change, with massive ecological implications. In contrast to terrestrial environments relatively little is known about the impacts of species that invade marine and estuarine habitats. The marine environments most susceptible to introduced species are harbours and estuaries, with many invasives introduced into these systems by the shipping trade. Harbours and estuaries are also subject to high levels of anthropogenic disturbance, mainly in the form of metal pollution.

One of the more prevalent heavy metals in these environments is copper, which is particularly toxic to marine invertebrates. Yet despite this toxic disturbance there appear to be a number of invasive species that are surviving in these conditions, suggesting some form of metal tolerance. And while invasive species have provided the opportunity to study evolution, there has been little research on the evolutionary response of marine or aquatic invasives to heavy metal pollution. If invasive species have the capacity to rapidly adapt to a commonly and increasingly used biocide like copper then even greater concerns are raised regarding the impact that invasives have on the ecology of native assemblages.

The major aim of my PhD is to understand the potential for invasive marine invertebrates to rapidly evolve a tolerance to copper, an important marine pollutant associated with urbanised estuaries.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH

The effects of nutrient enrichment on ecological processes in temperate mangrove forests. Honours thesis, Dr Todd Minchinton (University of Wollongong).

The impacts of an invasive alga, Caulerpa taxifolia, on the native bivalve Anadara trapezia. Dr Paul Gribben (University of New South Wales) and Dr Jeff Wright (University of Wollongong).

PUBLICATIONS

Minchinton TE, McKenzie LA (2008) Nutrient enrichment affects recruitment of oysters and barnacles in a mangrove forest. Marine Ecology Progress Series 354: 181-189

Wright JT, McKenzie LA, Gribben PE (2007) A decline in the abundance and condition of a native bivalve associated with Caulerpa taxifolia invasion. Marine and Freshwater Research 58: 263-272

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Student Prize for seminar at AMSA 2008

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

McKenzie LA, Johnston EL, Brooks R (2008) Invasive species plus pollution: recipe for a supper invasive? Human impacts and functioning ecosystems: Joint Australian Marine Science Association and New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Annual Conference (7 - 10 July, Christchurch, New Zealand)

CONTACT

Email: louisemckunsw.edu.au